July 10, 2008

High Note As MSPs Reveal Their Musical Heroes

About 50 MSPs, including First Minister Alex Salmond, revealed all to The Big Issue in Scotland magazine.

One of the most surprising revelations is from Lothians Labour MSP George Foulkes, who said he had had an "Arctic Monkeys moment" while also having heard of Coldplay.

Alex Salmond's favourite bands are, unsurprisingly, The Proclaimers and Runrig, while his former constituent Sandi Thom has also won a place in his music collection. But he added: "My guilty secret is country and western, particularly Tammy Wynette and Kenny Rogers."

The survey revealed a healthy appetite for rock, with Bruce Springsteen topping the list ahead of the Jam - one of Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop's choices - and the Clash.

SNP backbencher Aileen Campbell, who was the youngest ever MSP at just 26, told how she used to share a flat with the bass player from Franz Ferdinand.

Lothians Green MSP Robin Harper revealed a passion for Bob Dylan which extended to trying to sing cover versions in Swahili and German.